Abbey and Altenmünster of Lorsch

Königshalle, Lorsch Abbey
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kloster_Lorsch_07.jpg
Author: Armin Kübelbeck


Abbey and Altenmünster of Lorsch are a World Heritage Site in Hesse, Germany. It is one of the most renowned monasteries of the Carolingian Empire. It was founded in 764 by Count Cancor and his widowed mother Williswinda on their estate Laurissa. They entrusted it to Cancor's nephew Chrodegang, who was the Archbishop of Metz. He dedicated it to Saint Peter and became its first abbot. In 766 Chrodegang resigned as abbot to continue his work as Archbishop of Metz, and selected his brother Gundeland to be his successor.

To turn the Abbey of Lorsch into a pilgrimage site, Chrodegang obtained from Pope Paul I the relic of St. Nazarius, who was martyred in Rome with three companions under Emperor Diocletian of the Roman Empire. The sacred relics which arrived in 765 were deposited in the basilica of the monastery. The main church was consecrated by the Archbiship of Mainz in 774, in the presence of Charlemagne.

Abbey and Altenmünster of Lorsch was inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the 15th session of the World Heritage Committee in Carthage, Tunisia, on 9-13 December, 1991.

Ruins of Lorsch Abbey, Germany
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lorsch_church_ruins.jpg
Author: Yaroslav Blanter

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N 49 39 13.284 E 8 34 6.888
Inscription Year: 1991
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: III, IV

Visiting Abbey and Altenmünster of Lorsch

Lorsch can be reached by a 15-minute train ride from Mannheim.

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